ML357119171

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Media notes

Vaux's Swift, Atascadero Wastewater Ponds, Atascadero, San Luis Obispo County, California, 26 Jul 2021, Tom M. Edell

Observation details

Based on past visits I expect to see Chaetura type swifts in summer at the Atascadero Wastewater Ponds. Shortly after reaching the east side of the ponds, I saw three dark swifts (cloudy skies), at least two of which were small. I continued to see these birds off and on from that point until I left about two hours later. After my initial sighting I never saw more than two small swifts and a larger White-throated Swift that appears to show wing molt. In direct comparison with Cliff, Tree, and Violet-green swallows, the Chaetura swifts appeared slightly smaller and flew much differently with rapid flapping and then a short glide pattern. These swifts did not look particularly long winged, and I could never make out a bulge in the inner primaries. The wings did not show any molt. When flying lower over the ponds I was able to see a paler rump than the rest of the upper surface and had a few occasions when a pale throat blending into a darker chest and belly was evident. I never heard these birds call, though I’m not sure I would even if they did! I think the size, apparent short wing length, and flight pattern suggest these are Vaux’s Swifts. This species was confirmed nesting at Atascadero in July 2013 and Chaetura swifts have been present annually in summer in Atascadero since 2013.

Technical information

Model

Canon PowerShot SX70 HS

Lens

3.8-247mm

ISO

100

Focal length

74.2 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/8.0

Shutter speed

1/1250 sec

Dimensions

2585 pixels x 1907 pixels

Original file size

651.12 KB